5 February 2026
On 3–4 February 2026, the NODC, as coordinator of the EMODnet Chemistry project, participated in the CS-MACH1 Marine Citizen Science (MSC) data network workshop held in Ostend (Belgium) and online.
Citizen science contributes to improving the quality and impact of research by ensuring transparency of the process and results, promoting scientific culture and critical thinking among citizens, and increasing their trust in science. Anyone can participate in a citizen science project on a voluntary basis, regardless of education level, previous skills, thematic area, or type of proposed activity. All activities must meet scientific standards and be supervised by an expert scientific team.
Inspired by the speed of sound, Mach 1, the Horizon Europe project CS-MACH1 aims to facilitate FAIR data sharing and updates through the development of a Marine Citizen Science Data Network. Launched on 1 June 2025, this two-and-a-half-year project provides technology and data management training to support marine citizen science data flows. This is crucial for strengthening every link in the knowledge value chain, from citizens to end users such as policy makers.
The workshop brought together a range of stakeholders: leaders of MSC activities that collect scientific data, developers of cost-effective technologies for ocean observation or marine information management, data managers, and scientists using data collected by MCS. The event highlighted the project’s objectives, showcasing its contribution to enabling data to reach as many users as possible. On the second day, a live demonstration addressed challenges presented by participants. Speakers also shared successful MCS data flow stories and case studies to emphasise the importance of re-using citizen science data.
The NODC along with other representatives of EMODnet were invited to participate to share the experience of this long-standing EU project in data management. In particular, the EMODnet Secretariat outlined EMODnet as the EU’s in situ marine data service. EMODnet Biology presented how citizen science can contribute to EMODnet and, together with the EurOBIS Data Management Team, moderated the case studies session dedicated to marine biodiversity citizen science, providing insights on data flow in the CS context. For the chemical parameters and litter session, Maria Eugenia Molina Jack, data manager at OGS also for EMODnet Chemistry presented Litter data management in EMODnet Chemistry & citizen science contribution, and was among the moderators of the session focused on marine litter citizen science cases. Discussions also highlighted the relevance of citizen science across other EMODnet thematics. EMODnet Physics presented on connecting and managing citizen science ocean physics data, while EMODnet Human Activities addressed litter data management in EMODnet and the role of citizen science contributions. All EMODnet inputs underlined the importance of harmonised standards, transparent metadata and coordinated data management to support the long-term integration and reuse of citizen science data.
For more information, see the agenda for the workshop and visit the CS-MACH1 website.
